Governance-as-capability: How data-intensive platforms translate privacy and measurement demands into operating capabilities
Jinxueru Yin
School of Journalism and Communication, Northwest University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/pmcs.v8i2.14538
Keywords: governance-as-capability; data-intensive platforms; privacy
Abstract
Data-intensive platforms must grow revenue while meeting rising expectations on privacy, user choice, brand safety and measurement. We conduct a qualitative, multi-case longitudinal study of Netflix, Amazon and TikTok (2024–2025), drawing primarily on first-party official materials (Help/Policy/Legal, Transparency, IR, Dev/Spec). Using structured coding and temporal bracketing, we identify a recurring sequence: Platforms first reduce friction with user-facing options and thresholds, then align delivery, experimentation and attribution, and finally fold workable combinations into version-governed defaults with rollback. The paper offers a process account of governance-as-capability, an auditable comparison frame (C1 choice/transparency; C2 supply-side tiering and partner governance; C3 measurement/ attribution), and design guidance—Predefined options, release discipline, and minimal interoperability anchors—That supports monetization under evolving privacy and disclosure requirements.
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